Target builds giant dolls house in station

May 9, 2013 Leave a comment


Doll HouseThresholdIn an experiential stunt of the grandest of scales, American retailer Target built a life-size dolls house in the middle of Grand Central Station in New York.

The installation, which was created by Deutsch Los Angeles, is a showcase of their Threshold home décor line and features between 3,500 and 4,000 products, with staff on hand for demonstrations and help.

The dolls house was built in just 54 hours by fitting together interlocking 4-by-8 panels creating a 1600-square-foot open-plan house, as well as a patio and lawn area.  This space allows Target to show-off their latest lines in their entirety, which would not be possible to do in stores, and will give some great exposure with over 500,000 people visiting the station every day.

You can find out more about the installation at Ad Age here.

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The Chalk Room

May 7, 2013 Leave a comment


Chalk RoomChalk RoomChalk RoomDesign studio JamesPlumb has followed up their refit of East London based store Hostem‘s shop floor with a new showroom in the basement of the same building.

A dimly lit room, decorated with some unique furniture, The Chalk Room is currently dedicated to Hostem’s bespoke service, made-to-measure clothing and accessories, but shoppers can also order furniture from JamesPlumb including a chandelier made from clusters of antique lampshades and a chest of drawers built from stacks of suitcases.

To create the downstairs room the studio opened up the space, painted it dark and dimmed the lighting, creating a calmness by making the corners and edges of the walls disappear.

Some of the unique furniture they have provided for the space includes a Chesterfield sofa that has a table coming out of the centre and a wardrobe that appears to be falling over. 

Find out more about their work with Hostem at dezeen.

Photographs by Thomas Giddings.

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PuLSaTe pop-up installation

March 28, 2013 Leave a comment


pulsatepulsatepulsateArchitects Lily Jencks and Nathanael Dorent have been commissioned by Capitol Designer Studio to design a unique pop-up installation in London called PuLSaTe.

Using Marazzi’s SistemN tiles, from a range stocked by Capitol, they fitted out a showroom in Primrose Hill to create PuLSaTe, a pop-up installation that will not only show off the uses and colours of the tiles but also provide a cultural hub.

The zig-zag design, along with sloped floors, plays with your perception. Benches built into the walls of the installation become a consumer experience like no other. The pop-up installation on Chalcot Road, opened on the 21st March and will remain open, running a variety events including workshops, until 27th October 2013.

Take a look at a video about the project below.

Pulsate from STRIPE on Vimeo.

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Planters resemble miniature sustainable buildings

March 20, 2013 3 Comments


ienamiienamiienamiienamiWho wouldn’t want to get their hands on this planter series called ienami.

Designed by Japan-based studio Metaphys, these fun planters are made to look like miniature buildings (ienami refers to a row of houses in Japanese).

Inspired by minimalist style buildings with roof gardens, these contemporary micro homes look good with delicate plants like soft mosses and small succulents.

Alley, Plaza, Tunnel and Zig Zag are the four designs included in the collection.

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A desk system for collaboration

March 13, 2013 Leave a comment


SynthesisSynthesisSynthesisDesigner Seth Moczydlowski was thinking of educations establishments when designing the Synthesis Collaborative Desk, but we feel that there is serious potential for a wide range of applications. 

Each desk stands alone or fits snugly in a group of five for collaboration. The blend of wood and vibrant colors creates an interesting visual contrast that defines individual space when working together. Stackable, durable, and lightweight, they’re a great solution in any creative environment.

They were designed as part of an open-ended assignment that was themed around nature and the concepts of isolation vs. togetherness. Fulfilling this brief Seth states “In the classroom, students are required to work individually, as well as collaboratively at different times of the day. My desk design allows both functions, while providing an aesthetically pleasing environment for learning.”

Let us know what you think of them; would you like to use them in your office?

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Space saving seating

February 21, 2013 1 Comment


Cube 6Cube 6Cube 6A system of stools that slot together to form a cube has been designed and built by Naho Matsuno.

Cube 6 is a product made from birch plywood and maple and the cube is 350 x 350 x 350mm when slotted together, and creates 6 stools or tables when taken apart.

Perfect for those who love to entertain or are short of space. The clever use of rails allows the stools to easily slide together and come apart when needed.

The is also a 3 stool version.

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Iconic stool turns 80

January 25, 2013 Leave a comment


Stool 60Stool 60 Stackedstool 60stool 60 mike meireOne of the most iconic and yet simplistic pieces of furniture turns 80 this year.

Artek’s Stool 60 is a familiar sight to many, and it is not really a surprise that this beautifully simple stool was designed by highly acclaimed architect Alvar Aalto. 

The unique design of the stool relies on the fact that it was the first 3-legged stool made of wood, and not tubular steel, with the iconic L-shaped legs taking years to perfect, the result being a simple and stackable stool that has survived the test of time for the best part of a century.

To commemorate the 80th birthday, Artek is releasing a series of the stools in the same colours that Alvar used in his designs at the time of their creation. They are also working with well known architects and designers to produce a new series of stools, with the first ones being released designed by Mike Meiré.  

There is a video showing the creation of his colourful stools below. Read the 80th Birthday press release here.

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100 Years for Formica featured in The Guardian

January 18, 2013 Leave a comment


Formica 100 years logoGuardian Formica Article2013 marks the 100th Anniversary of the iconic Formica brand, best known for laminates. The product was developed in USA in 1913 as a replacement for the mineral product ‘Mica’ and thus was called ‘Formica’ and did you know that laminate is made from paper? Many people don’t.

The Think Tank has worked with Formica in the UK and across EMEA for the past 10 years providing a range of marketing services including PR and as a part of the 100 years celebrations we have been working to raise the profile of the brand and its history through the media and yesterday saw a great article published on the website of The Guardian Newspaper.

Formica is an iconic product that is used all around us in our everyday lives and, judging by the fantastic comments posted on the Guardian website, many people have very fond memories of the brand. One of the pictures featured takes us right back to when The Think Tank was based in Soho and used to frequent the Piccadilly Cafe – we remember it well.

The article, titled ‘Shiny, happy households: Formica turns 100′, is written by Oliver Wainwright and looks at the history of the brand, and how it has developed and been used over the years.

To find out more about the history of this iconic brand click here and read the full article or alternatively click here to see ‘Formica: our century-old laminate love affair – in pictures‘, also published on the Guardian website.

You can also click below to view the article in PDF form.

Shiny, happy households_…pdf

Shiny, happy households_…pdf (957 kb)

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Home: the must-see homewares and interiors event

January 11, 2013 Leave a comment


Home ShowHome ShowHome ShowSunday 13th January see’s the opening of Earls Court’s anticipated homewares event, Home.

Running until Tuesday 15th January, the event managed to establish itself last year, and the second outing is promising to be even bigger, taking up both Earls Court 1 & 2 alongside Top Drawer.

The show hosts a compelling cross-section of stylish, design-led homewares and interiors products from the very best of UK and international companies, featuring over 220 brands, the majority of whom are making this their exclusive UK appearance. This is the ultimate buying destination for the trade, with the two events presenting collectively over 1000 design-led brands.

Register for free here.

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Most Popular Design Projects of 2012

January 4, 2013 Leave a comment


Moses BridgeNingbo Historic MuseumTverrfjellhyttaArchDaily has released their top ten most popular design projects of 2012. These breath-taking and inspiring designs, predominately based in architecture come from all over the globe and include Moses Bridge by RO&AD Architecten in Halsteren, Netherlands, Ningbo Historic Museum by Wang Shu, Amateur Architecture Studio in Ningbo, China and Tverrfjellhytta by Snøhetta in Hjerkinn, Norway   

Have a look at the full list here

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A couple of book reviews

November 17, 2012 Leave a comment


Detail in Contemporary Lighting designLighting for interior DesignWe saw a great review for two new books on lighting design in Lighting Journal recently – ‘Detail in Contemporary Lighting Design’ by Jill Entwistle and ‘Lighting for Interior Design’ by Malcolm Innes.  

We haven’t had a chance to look inside either yet, but if the review and images showing for Entwistle’s book are anything to go by the content will inspire and give insight into “some of the most sophisticated lighting designs from around the world in recent years”. The visually striking image of the Deloitte HQ, with lighting design by Steven Scott, is stunning and certainly whet’s the appetite to see more.  

Whilst Innes’s book is described by reviewer Carl Gardner as, “a good attempt to summarise the theory and practice of interior lighting design in an attractive and graphic manner”.

You can get hold of these books on Amazon – see the following links:

‘Detail in Contemporary Lighting Design’

‘Lighting for Interior Design’

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Clock this interior in St Petersburg

September 10, 2012 Leave a comment


Yandex Office Interior

Yandex Interior Office

Yandex Interior DesignClocking in in St Petersburg, Russia could not be easier than in this office designed by Za Bor Architects.

The office was designed for Yandex, a search engine business, who wanted to go one step further than their other office in the same building, which was also designed by Za Bor.

The project architects decided to locate meeting ‘cells’, work areas and unusual objects along the corridor, resulting in visitors finding themselves ‘inside’ the Yandex search service. 

At the reception they’re met by a ‘Search’ button and a yellow arrow (an unofficial Yandex logo) and as visitors move around the corridors they find familiar user name and email password input boxes as well as symbols and icons associated with Yandex services.

To find out more about this interesting themed interior visit Contemporist by clicking here.

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Dezeen opens design superstore in London

July 1, 2012 Leave a comment


DezeenDezeen has opened a design superstore in London’s Covent Garden this summer.

Open from 1st July to 30th September the store offers an innovative retail and gallery concept in one of the capital’s most charming shopping streets.

The Dezeen Super Store, at 38 Monmouth Street WC2, will be a micro-department store hosting exclusive product launches and bringing together a number of retail concepts developed by Dezeen, including the Dezeen Watch Store, which will present its latest collection of stylish designer watches from our online store.

We loved shopping at Dezeen’s Temporium last year and certainly recommend a visit to this new venture.

For more information click here.

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How to turn a lightbulb into cash

June 18, 2012 Leave a comment


Independent Tobyboo DesignerTobybooIf you’ve been following our blog then you might remember a post about Tobyboo, a new designer who uses illustrations of the London skyline to produce a range of homewares, including some great looking ceramics.

Tobyboo was involved in the School for Creative Startups and they have both been featured in an article called ‘How to turn a lightbulb into cash’ in the Independent newspaper last week.

The article looks at how Doug Richard, the founder of the school, is helping creative types to understand the business part of their enterprises.

A good read – see more here.

Photography copyright Independent

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Dame Vivienne Westwood designs foyer at Decorex

June 10, 2012 Leave a comment


Vivienne Westwood at DecorexTo celebrate 35 years of Decorex International the show foyer this year will be designed by Dame Vivienne Westwood. The show runs from 23rd to 26th September at Royal Hospital Chelsea, London.

If you are unfamiliar with the show you can find out more on their website here.

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Downstairs, in The Shed at Clerkenwell Design Week

May 27, 2012 Leave a comment


A handbag?

MaigrauProduct design duo Maigrau’s tables were on display,  all made exclusively in Germany  - they’re just behind those large HANDBAGS which really grabbed us!  

Corking

DeadgooodMeanwhile our good friends Deadgood were showing their Cork Coffee Table – the PR team like objects that are made of cork and are rounded in shape…

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In material – Clerkenwell Design Week Review

May 27, 2012 Leave a comment


Imogen heathImogen heath Interiors

Iogen heath material design

Clerkenwell Design Week saw the launch of Imogen Heath’s first full collection of fabrics and wallpapers since establishing her business in July 2011. 

Contemporary, but we thought with a whiff of nostalgia, her patterns have caught the attention of British retailer Heal’s and us too.  An exclusive collection of colourful cushions were on sale and we were just disappointed we didn’t have our largest shopping bag with us… because when we saw SCP Contracts’ Ernest pouffe and Frank pouffe covered in some beautiful textiles we wanted them too!

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Flying high with Virgin Atlantic

May 15, 2012 Leave a comment


Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Cabin
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Cabin
If you, like us, have never had the pleasure of travelling Upper Class with Virgin Atlantic then see what you’ve been missing.

The first Virgin Atlantic A330 flight took off from London to New York recently with a brand new bar and Upper Class cabin designed by VW + BS Studio in partnership with the Virgin Atlantic team.

Definitely not what you expect to see at 30,000ft.

See more of this amazing new cabin on Design Boom.

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New W Hotel in Koh Samui is a sight for sore eyes

May 14, 2012 1 Comment


W Hotel
W Hotel Koh SamuiW Hotel
The New W Hotel in Koh Samui is just stunning.  In an amazing retreat round lounge spaces emerge from the water to create a spectacular place to relax.

The hotel overlooks the Gulf of Thailand and this beautiful escape was designed by MAPS Design studio as a collection of imagined spaces shaping a welcoming paradise. 

See more of the New W Hotel on FresHome.

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New glass technique from Lasvit delivers organic flows

April 29, 2012 Leave a comment


Lasvit Milan Design Week
On display at Milan Design Week 2012, ‘Liquidkristal’ is a new glass technique developed by British designer Ross Lovegrove in collaboration with Czech glass and crystal producers Lasvit.

Using a high precision heat transfer process to create organic-like glass panels, this innovative product has been developed for use in large-scale architectural installations. The manufacturer says ‘The system facilitates the precise forming of any mathematically describable design, and individual panels can showcase slightly ‘shifted’ versions of the model, creating the effect of an organically flowing pattern across a building or other large structure.’

This innovative production method lets designers or architects control the level of opacity of segments of glass, allowing the creation of spaces where features can be highlighted and others blended through a play of colour and light.

A very interesting development. Find out more here.

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